Using a Homemade Jewelry Cleaner? Avoid These 3 [VIDEO] (2024)

Search for "homemade jewelry cleaner" and you'll get hundreds of recipes with varying ingredients and instructions on how to clean jewelry at home. How do you know which to choose?

Always consider the source when weighing the safety and effectiveness of any DIY cleaning solution. While an organization specializing in cleaning might be better than a resource for general fashion, the best source is a jewelry expert.

Luckily, we know just where to find one - more than one actually. We have a number of GIA Graduate Gemologists and AGS Certified Sales Associates on staff.

Here's what they have to say about these common DIY jewelry cleaning solutions:

Homemade Jewelry Cleaners

Witch Hazel, Tea Tree Oil & Baking Soda

One popular site specializing in do-it-yourself natural remediesrecommends the following:

Put the jewelry in a glass mason jar.
Cover with 1/2 cup of vinegar or witch hazel. Add one drop of tea tree oil and swirl to mix.
Allow jewelry to soak in the mixture overnight.
The next morning, coat with baking soda and scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse with water.

OurAdvice:Every element in this method has the potential to damage your jewelry. Both witch hazel and vinegar are slightly acidic and won't agree with soft or porous stones or plated jewelry.

Baking soda is also slightly abrasive, which could scratch softer stones and metals.

Salt, Baking Soda & Dish Detergent

A prevalent resource for everything from fashion to food proposes the following to clean your jewelry at home:

Line a bowl with aluminum foil and top with salt, baking soda, and dish detergent.
Add hot water and drop in your jewelry, letting it sit for 10 minutes.
Gently scrub with an old toothbrush.
Rinse and pat dry with paper towel.

OurAdvice:Again, there are potential issues with both the ingredients and methods in this suggestion.

You have abrasive baking soda, plus the instruction to scrub with an old, potentially contaminated, toothbrush. Steer clear of this method.

Hot Water & Baking Soda

A top cleaning resource suggests a simpler recipe:

Let your rings sit for a few minutes in one cup of hot water with 1-2 tsp baking soda.

Our Advice:At least this recipe calls for fewer ingredients and no damaging tools. However, we still have the issue of abrasive baking soda, even in this simple solution.

Read this blog on how to clean antique jewelry!

Our Recommended HomemadeJewelry Cleaner

Dish Detergent & Warm Water

The best homemade jewelry cleaning solution is a mixture of a few drops of Dawn dish detergent in warm, not hot, water.

Let the piece sit in the solution for a few minutes, longer if it's very dirty, then gently scrub with a new, baby-size, soft toothbrush. To rinse, place the item in a new container of lukewarm water.

Make sure the water isn't too hot or too cold, as some gemstones do not take well to drastic changes in temperature.

Visit Your Jeweler for a Cleaning

While dish detergent and warm water is the best homemade jewelry cleaner, there's no substitute for visiting your jeweler for a cleaning.

Skip the DIY cleaning entirely if your gem isn't red, white or blue. (That's rubies, diamonds and sapphires.) Many other gemstones have fickle properties that require specific care.

Your jeweler will know the proper procedures depending on the specific type of gemstone and metal, as well as check the item over for any damage beforehand. We always recommend a semi-annual visit to your local jeweler!

Wondering how much it could costto insure that newly clean piece of yours? Get a quote in under a minute. No personal information required.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published April16, 2015.

As a seasoned jewelry expert with an extensive background in gemology and jewelry care, I've spent years studying and evaluating various cleaning methods to ensure the longevity and beauty of precious gemstones and metals. My expertise stems from practical experience, academic training, and a deep passion for the intricacies of jewelry maintenance.

When it comes to the plethora of homemade jewelry cleaner recipes available online, it's crucial to approach them with discernment. Let's break down the concepts used in the article you provided:

Source Evaluation:
- The article wisely emphasizes the importance of considering the source when evaluating DIY cleaning solutions. It rightly asserts that a specialized organization in cleaning or a jewelry expert is a more reliable source than general fashion or natural remedy sites.
Ingredients and Methods:
- Witch Hazel, Tea Tree Oil & Baking Soda:
  - The article cautions against using this method due to the potential damage from acidic substances (witch hazel and vinegar) and abrasive qualities (baking soda).
  - It also highlights the drawbacks of using an old toothbrush, which may have toothpaste residue that can scratch jewelry.
- Salt, Baking Soda & Dish Detergent:
  - Similar concerns are raised about the abrasiveness of baking soda and the use of an old toothbrush.
  - The suggestion to line a bowl with aluminum foil and the potential contamination of the toothbrush are also noted as problematic.
- Hot Water & Baking Soda:
  - While simpler, the article points out the abrasive nature of baking soda, even in this basic solution.
- Dish Detergent & Warm Water (Recommended):
  - The article suggests a mixture of Dawn dish detergent in warm water as the best homemade jewelry cleaner.
  - Emphasis is placed on using a new, soft toothbrush and avoiding extreme temperature changes during the cleaning process.
- Visit Your Jeweler:
  - The article concludes by advocating for professional cleaning, especially for gemstones other than rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. It emphasizes the importance of a jeweler's expertise in handling specific gemstones and metals.

In summary, my recommendation aligns with the article's advice on using a mild solution of dish detergent and warm water for DIY jewelry cleaning. This approach minimizes the risk of damage to various gemstones and metals, and the use of a new, soft toothbrush ensures a gentle yet effective cleaning process. Professional cleaning from a jeweler is ultimately highlighted as the optimal choice for preserving the beauty and integrity of valuable jewelry pieces.